Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE) is a general term for structures generated in the late stage of non-enzymatic glycation reactions (Millard reactions) between reducing sugars and proteins. AGE accumulation is known to be significantly elevated in age-related diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis.

Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) is a major antigenic AGE structure. Recent studies demonstrate that CML is generated by the oxidative cleavage of Amadori products by hydroxyl radicals, peroxynitrite and hypochlorous acid, suggesting CML to be an important marker of oxidative stress in vivo.CML is the most used marker for AGEs in food analysis.

Source: Professor Nagai Ryuji, Tokai University Faculty of Agriculture Department of Biosciences Food Bioregulation Research Laboratory

References:

Mera K., Nagai M., Brock JW., Fujiwara Y., Imai H., Murata T., Maruyama T., Baynes JW., Otagiri M., Nagai R. Glutaraldehyde is an Effective Cross-linker for Production of Antibodies Against Advanced Glycation End Products. J. Immunol. Methods 334 (1-2), 82-90 (2008) PMID: 18353354